Game system

ABSTRACT

A game apparatus with: (a) an indicia selecting means including a rotatable wheel ( 1 ) having a plurality of selectable regions ( 20, 21, 22  etc), each region ( 20, 21, 22 ) associated with paying card indicia ( 31, 32, 33  respectively); (b) a means for randomly selecting a selectable region ( 20, 21, 22 ) of the wheel ( 1 ); (c) a wagering area ( 40 ) adapted for positioning wagers concerning the indicia ( 31, 32, 33 ) associated with the region ( 20, 21, 22 ) selected a single operation of the indicia selecting means. A method for operating the game system is also described.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of roulette like games, particularlyfor use in a gambling environment, but also as a toy for use by adultsand children.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Casinos and other gambling houses have numerous gaming systems in placefor use by players. The house typically includes a number of ‘classic’gambling games such as roulette, poker, blackjack and craps. These typesof games allow multiple players to bet on the outcome of the game at thesame time.

The profitability of a game installation in a casino is subject to anumber of factors. These factors include the amount of floor spacerequired for the gaming installation and players, and the number ofoperators required for operation and collection of monies in the game.Other factors include the popularity of the game, the number of playersthat may concurrently play the game, the time it takes to operate around of the game and the odds of the game.

A well known multiplayer gambling game is roulette. This is one of theoldest of casino games, having been exclusively played at the MonteCarlo casino for over 60 years until 1933. This game of chance uses ahorizontal wheel having a number of pockets evenly spaced on the uppersurface, located near the perimeter of the wheel. The wheel rotatesabout a vertical axis and a ball is used to randomly select a pocket.Wagers are made based on identity of the pocket the ball selects.

The wheel typically has 37 or 38 separately numbered pockets, having thenumbers 1 to 36, a 0 and a 00. Each number is only used once on thewheel. This style of roulette may be referred to as American roulette.In contrast the European style of roulette may omit the 00 pocket. Thepockets are alternatively coloured red or black, with exception of the 0and 00 pockets which are coloured green. The 0 and 00 pockets arenormally located at opposite sides of the axis of rotation. Incombination with an appropriately designed wagering area, thearrangement permits the making of a wide range of wagers having variousreturn ratios or odds.

The motion of the wheel and the method of release of the ball shouldensure a random selection of a pocket. The ball normally rotates aroundthe wheel near or at the wheels perimeter. The perimeter is inclined todirect the ball into the pocket region of the wheel. As the rate ofrotation of the wheel decreases gravity will overcome the centripetalforce keeping the ball near the perimeter, and the ball will travel downthe inclined surface to be captured in a pocket.

A number of variants of roulette are known. By way of example U.S. Pat.No. 6,302,395 (Astaneha) describes a combination gambling game thatincludes a roulette wheel having numerical indicia, dice and cards. Theplayers bet on the outcome of two or more of the different games.

There may also be a game that involves using a roulette like wheelhaving playing card indicia thereon to select cards for poker hands. Thewheel is spun five times to provide a poker hand, and as such wagers arepaid depending on the result of a set of five selections of cards by thewheel. Whilst such a game may be suitable for home use, it is not suitedfor casino use as it requires five spins, and thus significant time, toprovide a wager result.

Another style of game which involves a wheel is the ‘wheel of fortune’game. In these games a large vertically orientated wheel is spun about ahorizontal axis. The wheel has a number of evenly spaced horizontalshafts extending from the face about its perimeter. The wheel includes anumber of evenly spaced regions located between the shafts and withineach region there is indicia. A region selecting and braking meanstypically in the form of a relatively flexible member is located in afixed position relative to the axis of the wheel and extends over aportion of the perimeter of the wheel and is capable of contacting theshafts. Some of the regions will include the same indicia that appearson other regions.

In use the wheel is spun, and the member acts to hinder and slow themotion of wheel through contact with the evenly spaced shafts.Eventually the wheel has insufficient force to move a shaft past themember and the member then acts as a pointer to indicate the selectedregion and indicia therein.

Wagers are made as to the outcome of the spinning of the wheel, with theodds being determined by the casino's margin, the total number ofregions on the wheel and the number of occurrences of the same indiciaon the wheel. This mode of operation is different to roulette likegames, as a wheel of fortune provides for differing wagers and odds byincluding multiple copies of selected indicia on the wheel, in contrastto roulette which uses an appropriately designed wagering area.

However, as a game can become stale it is important to providealternative games in order to ensure further custom. Preferably the gamewould also include a jackpot side game, as such games are currentlypopular at casinos. Furthermore the game should avoid complicatedsystems so to entice new players to try the game. Ideally the gameshould use rules similar to an existing game in order to promoteacceptance of the game to the public.

The game should be sufficiently profitable to the house so that it iscapable of being run at a casino. Casinos may be limited by licenseconditions to a set number of tables of gaming games and as such it isdesirable to include games having a high frequency of wagerdetermination events per hour or a high house margin or both. Such gamesshould also be capable of being operated with multiple concurrentplayers with a single dealer to increase the number of wagerdetermination events per game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the first embodiment of the game there is provided a game apparatushaving an indicia selecting means including a rotatable wheel having aplurality of selectable regions, each region associated with playingcard indicia, and a means for randomly selecting a selectable region ofthe wheel; and a wagering area adapted for positioning wagers concerningthe indicia associated with the region selected by a single operation ofthe indicia selecting means.

In a second embodiment of the invention, there is a method of effectingan economic outcome between one or more players and an operator, whichmethod includes using a game apparatus having an indicia selecting meansincluding a rotatable wheel having a plurality of selectable regions,each region associated with playing card indicia, and a means forrandomly selecting a selectable region of the wheel; and a wagering areaadapted for positioning wagers concerning the indicia associated to theregion selected by a single operation of the indicia selecting means,the method including the steps of:

-   a) a wagering phase wherein each player providing a cash or token    wager on the wagering area, the location of wager defining the win    or lose conditions of that wager;-   b) an operation phase after the wagering phase wherein the rotatable    wheel is rotated and a ball is located on a rotating wheel, in a    manner capable of randomly selecting a region of the wheel;-   c) an outcome phase wherein the ball becomes located on a region of    the wheel, and thereby selects that region and indicia associated    thereto;-   d) a result phase after the outcome phase wherein an assessment of    each wager of each player is effected by comparing the selected    indicia of the wheel to the win or lose conditions of the wager and    effecting a payment of cash or tokens to the player in response to a    result of the comparison.

In a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a wageringarea adapted for use in the first or second embodiment of the invention.

In a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a jackpotgame within the above game method.

In a further embodiment of the invention, there is a table adapted foruse with the above game or method, the table including the earlierdescribed wheel and a wagering area having marked zones for theplacement of the wagers having different win and lose conditions.

In a further embodiment of the invention there is provided an electronicform of the game, wherein part or all of the game processes is operatedby or replaced with a computer or poker machine apparatus. Players mayprovide wagers via an input device, which is processed by a computer,which then proceeds to provide the operation, outcome and result phases.In such a system the indicia selecting means may be replaced with anelectronic simulation of a rotating wheel and means for selecting aregion.

In a further embodiment of the invention, there is a casino or gamblinghouse that includes or operates the above game, apparatus for the gameor operates a computer(s) that manages or controls the game operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described in detailwith reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a plan view of a wheel for use with the game of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the wheel shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts a plan view of a wagering layout for use in the game ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 4 and 5 depict variations on the wagering layout of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 depicts a plan view of an alternative wheel for use with thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 depicts a plan view of a wagering layout for use with the wheelof FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 depicts a variation of the wagering of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 depicts a perspective wheel and wagering layout combination.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is predicated on the discovery that it is possibleto incorporate playing card indicia into a roulette like game and createa new type of gambling game which can use rules similar to roulette, andwhich is suitable for use in a casino.

Advantageously such a game can provide additional variety to knowncasino game systems, and can permit the inclusion of a jackpotside-game.

To avoid ambiguity a playing card is one of 54 pieces making up a packof playing cards, and includes 13 cards of four suits—hearts, clubs,spades and diamonds (the ordinary playing cards) and two jokers. The 13cards include ten numbered cards from 1 (also known as an ace) to 10,and the picture cards of Jack, Queen and King. The number or pictureJack, Queen or King is the value of the card so that each of theordinary cards has a value and a suit.

References to tokens throughout the description are intended to includechips, tokens, casino dollars, cash or other objects which representmoney and are capable of being used in gambling games.

With reference to the embodiments of the invention as described in thesummary of the invention, the selectable regions of wheel are associatedto indicia that directly correspond to or can be associated in the mindsof players various playing cards. Preferably each indicia associatedwith each region on the wheel corresponds to a different playing cardand thus is different to the other indicia.

The association can be achieved by including a pictorial representationof the playing cards on the wheel in or near the region. Therepresentation may be a complete representation including colour andimage that appears on a playing card. However it is thought thatincluding the full image from the cards in a small region may bedifficult to read, understand and may be distracting. As such it ispreferred to include a partial representation of that appearing on thecards. Possible representations could include a number together with asuit indicator such as 1

for the Ace of clubs, and 10

for the 10 of spades. The picture cards could be represented by an imageof the head ordinarily appearing on the card, such Jack, Queen or Kingtogether with the suit indicator. Alternatively the picture cards couldbe indicated by a letter J, Q or K for the Jack, Queen or Kingrespectively, together with a suit indicator. The Joker cards could beindicated by a J and JJ for the first and second Joker cards, or animage of part of the Joker card. The Joker cards do not have a suitindicator.

The indicia could also include a coloured background, behind therepresentations of the playing card or near the representation. Thecoloured background would preferably be red, black or green inaccordance with the traditional roulette style. The inclusion of abackground colour is not required for the ordinary cards as the suit ofthe card could provide the red or black colour. However, it is preferredto include a coloured background, preferably the same as the colour ofsuit of the corresponding ordinary playing card. Such an arrangementshould provide for ease of colour recognition and would result in thegame looking similar to a traditional roulette game. Forplaying/wagering reasons there should be an equal number of red andblack backgrounds on the wheel.

The Joker or Jokers indicia should have a different coloured backgroundto that of the other (non joker) indicia. This colour difference willprovide an operator (also referred to as the house) a winning marginwhen players wager on the colour outcome of a spin of the wheel.Furthermore it will help to distinguish Joker indicia from Jack indicia.

It is envisaged that the wheel would have 54 regions corresponding tothe 54 playing cards. However, less regions and corresponding lessindicia may also be used on the wheel. Such variations would include a53 region arrangement, having indicia for the 52 ordinary playing cardsand one of the joker cards. Another variation is a short deckarrangement wherein some of the 52 ordinary cards are omitted. By way ofexample a 42 region wheel could be used with 40 indicia corresponding toselected playing cards (such as 1 to 10 or 4 to King of each suit) and 2indicia corresponding to the jokers.

Another variation uses a wheel having 48 regions corresponding to theplaying cards 2 to King of the four suits. The wheel would contain oneor more additional regions corresponding to Joker or Ace indicia wherethe Ace is unsuited, and has or is associated with a different colour tothat of the 48 regions, such as a green background. In this variation anAce would function like a Joker.

Another variation of the game includes one or two Ace indicia, neitherhaving suit which could be separately indicated by A and AA on a greenbackground instead of the Joker indicia. Alternatively the game mayinclude a Joker and a non-suited Ace indicia.

Preferably the indicia selecting means operates in the same manner as aroulette wheel. The means for randomly selecting a region of the wheelmay be a ball that is locatable within the selectable regions of thewheel. A region could be selected by rotating the wheel and releasingthe ball onto the wheel. The ball would rotate around the wheel near orat the perimeter of the rotating wheel. The perimeter should be inclinedto direct the ball into the selectable region of the wheel. When therate of rotation of the wheel gravity will overcome the centripetalforce keeping the ball near the perimeter and the ball will travel downthe inclined surface into the selectable regions. The selectable regionsmay be adapted to offer some resistance to the further movement of theball by including low barriers around the regions. Eventually the ballwould be captured within a region, thereby selecting that region and theindicia associated thereto.

Preferably the wheel would rotate about a vertical or near vertical axislike a roulette wheel.

Preferably the wagering area includes indicia which can be associated tothe indicia included on the rotatable wheel. Preferably the wageringarea includes defined regions for positioning wagers as to the outcomeof each operation of the wheel. Preferably the wagering area is arrangedin a manner similar to that of a roulette wagering area as such anarrangement permits a number of different types of wagers.

The wagering area should provide for a number of different types ofwagers, having different win and lose conditions and odds. The includedwagers are preferably similar to that used in roulette in order tofacilitate the playing of the game by players familiar with roulette.

The playable wagers would include a straight up bet (a bet made byplacing a token completely within a defined region that solelycorresponds to a single indicia such as the 10

), split bets (a bet made by placing a token on any line that separatestwo adjacent regions), street bets (a single line of region), cornerbets (a bet covering the junction of four adjacent regions), odds orevens bets and colour (red or black) bets could be included. Wagerscould also be included for options not present in roulette such as thevalue of the selected indicia (1, 2, 3, Jack, Queen etc), the suit ofthe selected indicia (hearts, clubs, spades or diamonds), whether it isa picture card, and other wagers related to the selected playing cardindicia.

A preferred wagering arrangement presents the indicia corresponding tothat appearing on a 49 or 50 region wheel, by providing an “inside”wagering area including a primary array depicting the value of the card(2 to 10, Jack, Queen and King) set out in a 3 by 4, or a 2 by 6arrangement. Around each of the value indicators there is provided asecondary 2 by 2 array depicting the four possible suits of each of theordinary playing cards. This provides a convenient means for rapidly andclearly conveying the straight up bets (a wager on the selection of anindividual indicia) whilst permitting split bets, corner bets, and valuebet.

The non-suited Jokers or Aces could be separate from the primary arrayor positioned at one end of the array, within the inside wager area.

Such a game may provide advantages when used in a casino environment. Itis believed that a game based around a 49 or 50 region wheel having 1 or2 unsuited regions and a 2×6 wagering area will provide a game having asufficient likelihood of providing a return to the player so to keep theinterest of the player, whilst keeping the game sufficiently profitablefor casino use.

Another preferred wagering arrangement presents the indiciacorresponding to that appearing on a 53 or 54 region wheel, by providingan inside wagering area including a primary value array depicting the 12of the 13 values of the cards set out in a 3 by 4, or a 2 by 6arrangement. The 13^(th) value may be located at one end of the array ormay be separate to the array. Alternatively, the primary value array maybe set out in a 3 by 5 arrangement, with two void or blank regions atone end, on either side of a value region. Around each of the values islocated a 2 by 2 secondary array depicting the suits of the cards. Ajoker (or two joker boxes if there is a 54 region wheel) may also belocated at the end of the value array or separate to the array, as partof the inside wagering area.

The wagering area may include a system wagering area also known as an“outside” wagering area. This area may be located near to the insidewagering area for making of bets not encompassed by the inside wageringarea. The system wagers could include bets as to the colour, suit, typeof value (evens covering 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and queen or odds covering 1,3,5, 7, 9, Jack and King) or a range of values (2 to 7 or 8 to King) ofthe selected indicia.

Different types of wagers may be made by positioning a token or cash onthe wagering area in a recognised manner. It is preferred to use tokensas different looking tokens may be used to distinguish between thewagers of one player from another.

The odds of winning a particular wager will depend on the number ofoccurrences of indicia that would meet the win conditions on the wheelfor the wager and the total number of indicia included on the wheel. Thereturn to the player will depend on these factors and when used in acasino or other gambling house, should be less than the odds of winningin order to provide the house with a margin on the game. The rules mayprovide for limitations on the payments possible for certain wagers.Alternatively, the game may be used as a toy, and in such conditions thewagering aspect may be removed or modified.

The game may be played on a custom table having designated areas for theplacement wagers, and for locating the indicia selecting means. Thetable could also provide for placement positions for locating theoperator and the players. The operator is normally located on one sideof the table with the players being located on one or more sides,different to the operator's side. Such a table would be of use in acasino environment when it is important for security reasons to preventthe players from having access to the cash or tokens or operator.

In a further embodiment of the game there is provided an electronic formof the game, wherein part or all of the game processes is operated by orreplaced with a computer or poker machine apparatus. Players may providewagers via an input device, which is processed by a computer, which thenproceeds to provide the operation, outcome and result phases. In such asystem the indicia selecting means may be replaced with an electronicsimulation of a rotating wheel and means for selecting a region.

In a preferred form the game would be entirely played on a computer byusing a “slot” machine or the like, or via a network such as theinternet in an online casino environment.

In a further embodiment the game also includes a jackpot game. Thejackpot game is a separate game played within the main game. A playerwill also be eligible to win a jackpot bonus if they elected to play thejackpot game by placing a side bet, typically for a fixed amount such asone token. The token may be payable with each operation of the maingame, or may provide for eligibility for a number of games of the maingame.

It is preferred that the player would have to pay the token with eachoperation of the main game in order to retain eligibility in the jackpotgame. This may entice a player to continue to play additional games ofthe main game if it appears that they may win a jackpot. It would alsoavoid the difficulties of locating a player who wins a jackpot afterleaving the gaming area if they were to retain eligibility for thejackpot game.

In one form a player would win the jackpot game if they satisfied theconditions of being an eligible player and if a number of consecutiveoutcomes of the main game resulted in a predetermined combination ofindicia. The required arrangement indicia may be a traditionally highranking (low likelihood of occurrence) poker hand such as a royal flushor four of a kind. The number of consecutive outcomes would depend onthe required combination of indicia to trigger the jackpot win, and maybe four or five for a poker hand combination. The amount won may varydepending on combination of indicia. There may be multiple combinationsof indicia that will satisfy a win condition. Different combinations mayprovide a different jackpot prize. If two or more eligible players winthe jackpot, they could share the jackpot.

When a jackpot side game was included with the main game it is preferredto include a means for recording the required number of consecutiveoutcomes of the main game, and the eligibility of the players. In apreferred form the gaming apparatus would include a main game outcomedisplay means for displaying at least the last four consecutive outcomesof the main game and player eligibility display means. The playereligibility display means may be one or more light indicators such as aLED's that are lit when a player deposits a token in a jackpot tokenreceiving apparatus. The display may include intermediate indicators toindicate the status of the player including the number of consecutivejackpot wagers. When a sufficient number of consecutive wagers have beenplaced an eligible player indicator could light up to indicate theeligibility of the player. The sufficient number of consecutive wagersis typically equal to the minimum number of consecutive main gamesrequired to provide a combination capable of winning a jackpot. Theeligible player status could be indicated by having all of theintermediate indicators lit or a separate indicator.

A computer would preferably monitor the main game outcomes and theplayer eligibility and would determine whenever an eligible player winsthe jackpot.

The jackpot device could also be incorporated into a traditionalroulette game. The jackpot winning combination in a roulette game wouldbe one or more predetermined sequences of numbers.

One form of the game system will now be described with reference toFIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a wheel for use with a game of the presentapplication. The wheel (1) rotates about a central substantiallyvertical axis (3). The section (5) of the wheel near the central axisbetween the perimeters (7) and (9) provides an inner inclined surfacewith the upper part corresponding to the perimeter (7) and a lower partcorresponding to the perimeter (9).

The section of the wheel located between the perimeters (9) and (15) issubstantially horizontal.

The section of the wheel located between the perimeters (15) and (11)provides an outer inclined surface having a lower part at perimeter (9)and an upper part at the perimeter (11).

The section of the wheel located between the perimeters (9) and (15) hasbeen divided into 54 separate regions, each region having a differentcolour indicia to the adjacent regions. An example of three of theregions are (20), (21), and (22). Regions (20) and (22) are red incolour and region (21) is black.

The section located between the perimeters (13) and (15) has beendivided into 54 parts each having different indicia that can beassociated with playing cards. Each region in the section between (9)and (15) is associated by proximity with indicia located between (15)and (13). By way of example, region (20) is associated with the indicia(31), namely the king of hearts (31), region (21) is associated with thesix of spades indicia (32) and a region (22) is associated with the fourof diamonds indicia (33). The indicia may be randomly arranged withinthe section. The arrangement may be wholly random or it may alternatebetween a randomly selected black suited card and a randomly selectedred suited card. The arrangement depicted is based on the laterarrangement, with the Joker and Double Joker indicia being placed atopposite sides of the axis (3).

The regions and indicia are associated with three different coloursnamely black, red and green. The indicia having a black suit beingspades or clubs are associated with a black region. The indiciaassociated with a red suit are shown in red and are associated with ared region. The joker playing cards are represented by the indicia (26)and (28) and appear on a green background. These indicia are associatedwith corresponding regions (25) and (27) respectively. The indiciacomprising of a ‘J’ on a green background (28) represents the joker,whilst the indicia ‘JJ’ on a green background (26) which represents theother joker, referred to as the double joker.

The outer section (19) of the wheel provides a surface for an operatorto contact and turn and spin the wheel.

At perimeter (11) there is a barrier (17) that acts to prevent a ballfrom leaving the wheel when the wheel and ball are in motion. Thisbarrier may take the form of a vertical or near vertical wall. The innerpart (18) of the outer section (19) forms an inner lip and extends overa part of the section between (11) and (13). The lip and wall also actsas a barrier to prevent the ball from leaving the wheel during use.

In operation the wheel is rotated about the central axis (3) by theapplication of force to the outer section (19). A ball is released ontoa rotating wheel between the perimeter (7) and the wall (17). After theball is released the wheel is not normally further rotated and insteadis permitted to slow down and stop.

In one method the ball is dropped onto or near the inclined surface (5).The ball passes down the inner inclined surface and travels up the outerinclined surface towards the perimeter of the wheel. The ball isconstrained by the wall (17) and thus travels around the outer inclinedsurface between (11) and (13).

In another method the ball pressed against the wall (17) by an operatorand released. Again the ball is constrained by the wall (17) and thustravels around the outer inclined surface between (11) and (13).

As the rate of rotation of the wheel decreases the ball will leave thesurface of the wall (17) and will travel down the outer inclined surfacetowards the lower part of the outer inclined surface. As the balltravels inwards it will contact the protrusions (35). These protrusionsact to randomise the motion of the ball and further slow the ball.Eventually, the rotation of the wheel slows such that the ball travelsdown the outer inclined surface to the region between (15) and (9).Eventually, the ball will come to rest in one of the 54 regions locatedin this section.

To ensure that the ball comes to rest clearly within a single regionthere are protrusions extended upwards between the border betweenadjacent regions. The protrusions acts as low wall to assist inseparating each region and preventing the ball from coming to restbetween two regions.

FIG. 3 depicts a wagering area (40) for use with a selecting apparatussuch as that depicted in FIG. 1 for gambling. The wagering area has aninside wagering area (42) having therein a 5 by 3 primary arrayproviding 15 zones or boxes. There are 13 zones (44) to (68) whichinclude indicia corresponding to the 13 values of ordinary playingcards. The array includes two unused zones (43) that may be void for theplacing of wagers. These zones may include advertising or promotionalinformation.

Around each of the 13 value indicia in the primary array there is asecondary 2×2 suit array depicting the four suits indicia. By examplethe ace value (44) has a black club (44 c) a red heart (44 h) a reddiamond (44 d) and a black spade (44 s) located around the central value(44). The ace value (44) is shown with both an A and a 1 symbol therein.This is done to indicate that the Ace is treated as the number 1.

The inner wagering area also includes a portion for placing wagers onthe Joker (70) and Double Joker (72).

The wagering area also includes an outer wagering area (80) located nearthe value array. This outer area permits wagers to be made in respect ofthe suit of the cards by placing tokens over the appropriate indicia(82). It also includes regions for placing wagers as to whether theselected indicia is a number between 2 and 7 (84) is an even number(86), is red in colour (88) (i.e. the heart or diamond suit), is blackin colour (90) (i.e. the spade or club suit), is an odd number (92), orhas a value between 8 and King (94): The outer area also provides formaking wagers regarding whether the selected indicia has a value of 2,5, 8 or Jack (96), has a value 3, 6, 9 or Queen (98) or has a value of4, 7, 10 or King (100).

In use a player can place a wide range of wagers on the wagering area. Astraight up bet (one number) may be made by placing a token on the suitsymbol corresponding to the value of the card in the inner wager area.For example, if it were desired to place a wager on the ace of clubs atoken would be placed wholly within the (44 c) box. Placing a tokenwithin the Joker box (70) makes wager that will win if a Joker isselected by the selecting apparatus.

Placing a token on any line that separates two adjacent symbols withinthe inner wager area (42) may make a split wager. For example, if itwere desired to place a split wager on the ace of hearts and ace ofspades a token would be placed on the line separating boxes (44 h) and(44 s). A split wager could also be made by placing a token on the lineseparating the Joker and Double Joker boxes (70) and (72) which wouldresult on a win if either Joker was selected by the selecting apparatus.

A corner wager can be made by placing a token at the junction of fouradjacent symbols within the inner wager area (42). For example if atoken were placed at the junction of (44 h), (44 s), (54 c) and (54 d)the player would win if the ace of hearts, ace of spades, three of clubsor three of diamonds were selected by the selecting apparatus.

A modified form of the corner wager is the value wager. If a player wereto place the token solely on the value symbol then this covers the valueof the card irrespective of the suit. For example, if a token wereplaced on A-1 the player would win if the ace of any suit was selectedby the selecting apparatus.

Another wager is the street wager. The making of this wager is indicatedby placing a token across only the line that separates the inside andoutside wagering area. For example, if a player were to place a token atthe point (102) the player would be making a street wager. A playerwould win if the two of clubs, two of diamonds, three of clubs, three ofdiamonds, four of clubs or four of diamonds were selected by theselecting apparatus.

Another wagering option is a line wager. A player can make a line wagerby placing the token across the line that separates the inside andoutside wagering area and across the line that separates two adjacentsuits within the inner betting area. For example, if the player were toplace a token at the point (104) the player would be making a line wagerand would win if the selecting apparatus selected a two, three or fourof hearts or spades or a five, six, seven of clubs or diamonds.

In all cases the return to the player would depend on the likelihood ofthe player winning the wager. If a player were to make a straight up bet(which includes a joker or double joker bet) then one token wouldnormally provide a 51 token return if the selecting apparatus of FIGS. 1and 2 were used. The likelihood of such an event occurring is a 1 in 54.At the other extreme if the player were to make a red or black bet thena one token bet would ordinarily pay one token and the player has a 26in 54 (48%) chance of this occurring.

The selecting apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 and the wagering area of FIG. 3may be conveniently locate together in a table for use in casinos orgambling houses. Alternatively an electronic representation of theselecting apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 and/or wagering area of FIG. 3 maybe provided.

FIGS. 4 and 5 depict variations in the design of the layout of FIG. 3.FIG. 4 requires a 53 region wheel with only one Joker, or a 54 regionwheel having two identical Jokers thereon.

FIG. 6 depicts a 50 region wheel, for use with the wagering area of FIG.8. It has one unsuited Ace and one Joker. There are no suited Aces onthe wheel.

FIG. 7 is an alternative layout of the wagering area and would requirethe Joker of the wheel of FIG. 6 to be replaced with an unsuited Ace, ora 49 region wheel.

FIG. 8 is a preferred layout of the wagering area and is also shown inFIG. 9 in conjunction with the wheel depicted in FIG. 6. The layout ofthe wagering area should be commercially acceptable to a casino based onthe analysis set out hereafter.

The wagering area depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8 allow for the making ofwagers by placement of tokens on the wagering area in the manner earlierdescribed for the wagering area of FIG. 3.

For example a straight up wager that the next selected region would beassociated with the 7 of hearts would be indicated by placing a token inbox (110). A split wager that the next selected region would beassociated with the 9 of spades or Jack of diamonds could be made byplacing the token at the point (112).

A corner wager that the next selected region is associated with 10 ofhearts or spades, or Queen of clubs or diamonds by placing a token atthe point (114).

A modified corner wager that the next selection was 8 of any suit byplacing the token within the box (116).

Line and street wagers can also be made, although less regions arecovered by the wager as compared to the line and street wagers describedin FIG. 3. For example a token placed at point (118) would indicate astreet wager that the selected region will be associated with a 4 or 5of any suit (8 regions in total). A token placed at point (120)indicates a line wager covering the 6 and 7 of clubs and diamonds.

Similar to that depicted in FIG. 3, the outer wagering area of FIGS. 7and 8 includes boxes for making other types of wagers.

For example, the player could make a bet that the suit of the indiciaassociated with the selected region will be a heart by placing a tokenin the box (122). A token placed in box (124) would indicate a wagerthat the next selection will have a number from 2 to 7. A token in box(126) will indicate a wager that the selection will be an odd number(for game balance odds exclude the “Ace”). Wagers as to the colour ofthe indicia associated with the selected region can be made by placing atoken in the boxes (128) for red and (130) for black

Finally, a token in boxes (132) indicates a wager as to whether theselection is any of the 16 indicia directly above in the inner wagerarea, namely any 2, 3, 4 or 5 of hearts, clubs, spades or diamonds.

Wagers on odd numbers on the layout of FIG. 7 or 8 do not include theunsuited Ace.

The following analyses the house profit that would arise from the use ofvarious versions of the game in a casino environment.

The analysis is based on the belief that certain properties are highlydesired or required in order to use the game at a casino. However, theseproperties may be less or not relevant in respect the operation of thegame for pleasure in a non-commercial enterprise.

-   -   (1) The principal requirement is that the house profit should be        between 1% and 6% of the bets made, and preferably between 2%        and 5%. Otherwise the game may be unsatisfactory either to the        casino or to the players. Standard roulette yields a casino        profit of 2.7% with a single zero, and 5.3% with a double zero.

Other properties also considered desirable include:

-   -   (2) The odds should be whole numbers as far as possible, to        simplify the task of paying winners. Complex fractional odds        would be unpopular with croupiers, or perhaps impossible to        handle.    -   (3) It is also desirable that the various types of bet should be        consistent in their outcomes, as in roulette. For example,        betting $100 on a split should have the same outcomes as betting        $50 on two squares. This property is equivalent to saying that        the house profit on each type of bet is the same. This property        is not universal in table games. For example craps does not have        it.

The profitability for the house of each type of bet depends on:

-   -   The number of individual outcomes covered by the bet    -   The odds paid for a win    -   The total number of outcomes (determined by the number of        jokers).

There are various ways of measuring profit in a casino. They include theaverage amount lost by a player before they leave the casino, theaverage amount lost per player while at a table, the profit made perhour at a table. These can be expressed in absolute dollar terms or as apercentage of the chips purchased. Some of these measures depend onhuman behavior such as the period spent at a table, and can bediscovered only by experience. Where skill is involved as in blackjack,it depends on the skill of the players. The number of players at thetable comes into some measures.

For simplicity, the profit figure used in these reports is the averagepercentage of each bet lost by a player. This is easily calculated for agame like roulette. If a player's chips are recycled many times during aplaying session, the amount lost is correspondingly increased.

Table 1 below shows the profitability of each type of bet for the gamevariants which correspond to the 52 cards in a deck of standard playingcards, together with one or two jokers. As a consequence the wheelcontains 53 or 54 slots. The odds on the wagers were selected togenerate profit within the acceptable range as described above.

TABLE 1 Group Profit Profit Odds Size 2 jokers 1 joker Straight Up 51 13.70% 1.89% Straight Up 50 1 5.56% 3.77% Straight Up 49 1 7.41% 5.66%Split 25 2 3.70% 1.89% Split 49 to 2 2 5.56% 3.77% Split 24 2 7.41%5.66% Group of 3 49 to 3 3 3.70% 1.89% Group of 3 16 3 5.56% 3.77% Groupof 3 47 to 3 3 7.41% 5.66% Group of 3 15 3 11.11% 9.43% Corner 12 43.70% 1.89% Corner 47 to 4 4 5.56% 3.77% Corner 23 to 2 4 7.41% 5.66%Corner 11 4 11.11% 9.43% Six Line 23 to 3 6 3.70% 1.89% Six Line 15 to 26 5.56% 3.77% Six Line 22 to 3 6 7.41% 5.66% Six Line  7 6 11.11% 9.43%Dozen 10 to 3 12 3.70% 1.89% Dozen 13 to 4 12 5.56% 3.77% Dozen 19 to 612 7.41% 5.66% Dozen  3 12 11.11% 9.43% Suit  3 13 3.70% 1.89% Suit  38to 13 13 5.56% 3.77% Suit  37 to 13 13 7.41% 5.66% Column  9 to 4 163.70% 1.89% Column  35 to 16 16 5.56% 3.77% Column 17 to 8 16 7.41%5.66% Red/Black  1 26 3.70% 1.89% Red/Black Even-4% 26 5.56% 3.77%

A particular version of the game can be obtained by selecting either oneor two jokers, selecting which bets are to be made available, andspecifying what odds are to be paid for winning bets. For thesevariations it is not easy to choose a combination which simultaneouslymeets the desirable criteria of appropriate casino profit, simplicityand consistency.

One selection from the table above gives the version of the game as setout in table 2 below.

TABLE 2 Group Profit Profit Odds Size 2 jokers 1 joker Straight Up 50 15.56% 3.77% Split 24 2 7.41% 5.66% Group of 3 15 3 11.11% 9.43% Corner11 4 11.11% 9.43% Six Line 7 6 11.11% 9.43% Dozen 3 12 11.11% 9.43%

Unfortunately, the odds here are not consistent, in that a player canalways get better value by betting straight up than by betting ongroups.

Different choices could be made which overcome these problems, but atthe expense of introducing more complex odds. Table 3 provides anexample of another variation of the game.

TABLE 3 Group Profit Odds Size 2 jokers Straight Up 51 1 3.70% Split 252 3.70% Group of 3 49 to 3 3 3.70% Corner 12 4 3.70% Six Line 23 to 3 63.70% Dozen 10 to 3 12 3.70% Suit  3 13 3.70% Column  9 to 4 16 3.70%Red/Black  1 26 3.70%

In this case the odds are all consistent and the profit is verysatisfactory, since its value lies between the values for standardroulette with single or double zeros. These choices could provide asatisfactory game, and one which could be further improved byeliminating the bets on groups of three and groups of 6, where the oddsare complex.

Another variant of the proposed game has one slot on the wheelcorresponding to each card in a standard deck, but with no jokers andonly two aces or a joker and an ace or two jokers. The aces and/orjokers would play the role of the zero and double zero in a version ofstandard roulette.

Table 4 below shows the results of a version of this variation of thegame.

TABLE 4 Group Odds Size Profit Straight Up 47 1 4.00% Split 23 2 4.00%Group of 3 15 3 4.00% Corner 11 4 4.00% Group of 6 7 6 4.00% Group ofeight 5 8 4.00% Dozen/Suits 3 12 4.00% Columns 2 16 4.00% Red/Black 1 244.00%

This version is preferred as it has a number of attractive features. Alarge number of different inside & outside bets can be made available,including a group of eight that does not occur in standard roulette. Allof these bets are completely consistent. For example, the result ofbetting on a dozen is the same as betting on two groups of 6. All of thepayouts are whole numbers, so there are no special problems for dealers.

The casino profit per bet is approximately 4% in every case. This shouldbe satisfactory to casino and regulatory authorities. It also offers theplayer a better return than a standard roulette game with a double zero.

Other game variants are also possible. A variant involves an enlargedgame having 60 cards plus two jokers. This could be done either byintroducing two extra ranks, or one extra suit. Card decks already existwith an extra suit, which are called stars. Table 5 below sets out aversion of such a variation.

TABLE 5 Group Odds Size Profit Straight Up 59 1 3.23% Split 29 2 3.23%Group of three 19 3 3.23% Corner 14 4 3.23% Group of five 11 5 3.23% SixLine 9 6 3.23% Dozen 4 12 3.23% Columns 3 15 3.23% Twenties 2 20 3.23%Red/Black 1 30 3.23%

This game looks satisfactory based on the profit and odds offered.

Another variant of the game would have one slot on the wheelcorresponding to each card in a standard deck, but with only one jokeror one ace. The joker or ace would play the role of the zero in standardroulette. Table 6 below shows the results of various bets in this game.

TABLE 6 Group Odds Size Profit Straight Up 47 1 2.04% Split 23 2 2.04%Group of 3 15 3 2.04% Corner 11 4 2.04% Group of 6 7 6 2.04% Eight 5 82.04% Dozen 3 12 2.04% Columns 2 16 2.04% Red/Black 1 24 2.04%

This version is similar to the version which had two aces (or a jokerand an ace or two jokers) but provides a lower profit for the casino.The same variety of bets is available, and the bets are all consistent.The payouts are all whole numbers, as before.

The casino profit per bet is now 2.04%, which is roughly half the profitobtained with two aces. This would be great for the players, becausetheir money would last much longer. However some casinos may not beinterested in a game where the profit rate is less than for any currentversion of roulette (2.7% or more).

However, this variation may still be commercially acceptable to casinos:

-   -   if it attracted a lot of activity because of its novelty    -   in a high roller area where a lower percentage is acceptable as        the size of the minimum wagers are higher    -   in an online/electronic format, where overheads are lower.

It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art the numerousvariations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shownthe specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe invention as broadly described. For example the playing and indiciamay be replaced with indicia related to other games such as mahjong,paigow or sic-bo. The present embodiments are, therefore, to beconsidered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless thecontext requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as“comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusionof a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not theexclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

1. A method of effecting an economic outcome between one or more playersand an operator in a roulette style game, which method includes using aroulette style game apparatus having an indicia selecting meansincluding a rotatable wheel having 49 or 50 regions, each regionassociated with playing card indicia, and a means for randomly selectinga selectable region of the wheel; and a wagering area adapted forpositioning wagers concerning the indicia associated to the regionselected by a single operation of the rotatable wheel, the methodincluding the steps of, a) a wagering phase wherein each playerproviding a cash or token wager on the wagering area, the location ofwager corresponding to one of the 49 or 50 regions and defining the winor lose conditions of that wager; b) an operation phase after thewagering phase wherein the rotatable wheel is rotated and a ball islocated on a rotating wheel, in a manner capable of randomly selectingone of the 49 or 50 regions of the wheel; c) an outcome phase whereinthe ball becomes located on one of the 49 or 50 regions of the wheel andthereby selects that region and indicia associated thereto; d) a resultphase after the outcome phase for each single operation of the indiciaselecting means, wherein an assessment of each wager of each player iseffected by comparing the selected indicia of the wheel to the win orlose conditions of the players wager and effecting a payment of cash ortokens in response to a result of the comparison; and e) wherein theprofit is consistent for all selectable regions.
 2. The method accordingto claim 1 when performed using the game apparatus according to claim 1.3. The method according to claim 2 when the results phase includes anassessment as to whether the win or lose conditions of a jackpot wagerhave been fulfilled and effecting a payment of cash or tokens inresponse to the assessment.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the win orlose conditions of the jackpot wager depend on the outcome of up to fiveconsecutive operations of the game apparatus.
 5. The method of claim 4wherein the win or lose conditions of the jackpot wager depend onwhether the indicia selected by five consecutive operations of the gameapparatus are equivalent to predetermined poker hands.
 6. An electronicroulette style game for effecting an economic outcome between a playerof the game and the provider of the game, the game including the stepsof: a) a wagering phase wherein the player makes a wager by selecting alocation in a wagering area, the location of wager defining the win orlose conditions of that wager; b) an operation phase after the wageringphase wherein the player is electronically displayed a rotating wheelhaving 49 or 50 selectable regions, each region associated with playingcard indicia, and a ball located on a rotating wheel for identifying arandomly selecting region of the wheel; c) an outcome phase wherein theball is randomly located on one of the 49 or 50 regions of the wheel, tothereby display to the player the selected region and indicia associatedthereto; d) a result phase after the outcome phase for each singleoperation of the wheel wherein an assessment of each wager of the playeris effected by comparing the selected indicia of the wheel to the win orlose conditions of the players wager and effecting a payment of cash ortokens in response to a result of the comparison; and e) a consistentprofit for all selectable regions.